Imagine being a poet, held in solitary confinement, without access to books, pens or paper. Or even a bed. Ahmed Mansoor, a loving husband and father has been in prison, in the United Arab Emirates, since his arrest in March 2017. For a year, his family did not know where he was. In 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. His crime? Speaking out about unfair trials, torture of people critical of the government.

Or community leaders Uncles Pabai and Uncle Paul, in Australia, having to turn to the courts to try to prevent their land and culture being destroyed by climate change.

Or yoga loving Rita, in Kyrgystan, detained in a cramped cell for months, without access to healthcare or her family, and still under house arrest. Her crime? Demonstrating peacefully against a deal which would restrict, or even prohibit, access to a vital reservoir.

Or Justyna, in Poland, sentenced to community service for helping a desperate, pregnant woman in an abusive relationship to access a safe abortion.

We invite you to add your names to greeting cards we will be sending to these human rights defenders to let them know that they are not forgotten, at our ‘Write for Rights’ events at:

• West Suffolk College, STEM Centre, Wednesday December 6th. 12 - 2

• St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Saturday December 9th. 10 – 2 and Sunday December 10th. (Human Rights Day) immediately after the morning service.

• The Link, Haverhill, Saturday December 16th. 10 - 12

The events at the Cathedral and the Link are open to the general public.

Amnesty International Bury St Edmunds is part of Amnesty International UK. As an NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) independent of politics, Amnesty International works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. As a global movement of over ten million people, Amnesty International is the world’s largest grassroots human rights organisation. AI investigates and exposes abuses (eg currently documenting evidence of war crimes in the Middle East, and Ukraine, so that those responsible can be brought to justice), educates and mobilises the public and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its life saving work. More information can be found online at www.amnesty.org.uk https://www.amnesty.org/ Write For Rights 2023 | Amnesty International UK , where action can also be taken online.